Strap On Skis

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Tommy Bartlett Ski Show Trivia

For those who’ve been vacationing in Wisconsin Dells since they were young, they’ll recognize the name Tommy Bartlett as synonymous with water-skiing. It was back in 1952 that Tommy Bartlett brought his traveling Water Ski & Jumping Boat Thrill Show to perform for what was to have been a limited run on Lake Delton. Instead, the show never left. Today, it is the longest-running, live, outdoor entertainment show of its kind. In fact, more than 20 million spectators have taken their seats in the amphitheater-style stands and enjoyed 90 minutes of ski tricks performed by sparkly-costumed performers. For all his years around ski boats and skiers, Bartlett only water-skied once in his life - on his 70th birthday. In 1993, at the age of 79, he was inducted into the Water Ski Hall of Fame in Cypress Gardens, Florida. Bartlett passed away in 1998 at the age of 84, but the show continues on.

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Tom Diehl, who heads the Tommy Bartlett Show

Dorthy Evenson has designed the costumes for 15 years, and has four sons who are professional skiers

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The Winter Version of the Waterslides

The Dells’ tourism community likes frozen water too. Local ski hills see their share of winter-hardy travelers too, proving you can be in your bathing suit in the morning and your ski suit in the afternoon without missing a beat.